Mary Ann Crook, Elizabeth Kennedy, Lori Yokem, Amelia Craft and Sarah Nelson.

auren Ross-Simmons laughs when she is asked about being an "overnight" art sensation. The artist, wife, mother of two and downtown business owner has been painting for more than 30 years – 30 years of practice, trial-and-error and refining her Pop Art brand of iconic images.

C & C Electric and Lighting had been at 2430 Line Ave. for years. The mom-and-pop shop was a go-to for lighting fixtures and repairs. This was still not a place to which you would go and hang out. Lingering was not what customers tended to do after purchasing.

On Jan. 18, The Strand Theatre in downtown Shreveport showcased the legendary Broadway show “Cabaret.” There are several shows remaining in The Strand’s 2018 season, including “Dirty Dancing” on March 16 and “Wizard of Oz” on April 22. – Mark Crawford.